To those who would deny him his VC, think about what you were doing at 16. Certainly not watching your ship mates being maimed and killed around you in a major sea battle while continuing to do your duty. This country would be a better place if we had more Jack Cornwells
HMS Chester was broken up for scrap in the 1920's at the North Dock of Llanelli, West Wales. Local people came to see it and standing on the dock side, look over at the place such a brave young boy did his duty. Did he deserve his VC? In WW2, a man held the power switches on in the dynamo room (they would have tripped off without being held in place) while HMS Prince Of Wales sank in the far east in 1941. His mate told him to 'come on..the ships going down' as they had been given the order to abandon ship. He replied "someone might need this power...I'm staying here" He knew of course that many of the internal doors worked on electricity, otherwise they were too heavy to open by hand, which would have trapped many men below decks. That man stayed at his post when he didn't need to as far as orders went. His body is still in that dynamo room, unless chinese scrappers have stolen the metal in that area of the ship of course (very sad to say) Many men owed their lives to him without realising why the doors still worked, especially as the list of the ship meant the doors could ONLY be opened under power. Did he deserve a VC? He was never put forward for it. Many people do outstanding things in war, often in terrible conditions or circumstances, with noone knowing about them at all. They all desreve a VC in my opinion, because without them we would all be celebrating hitlers birthday all over europe and speaking german here in Britain most likely. Like those men in HMS Prince Of Wales, we don't know how lucky we all are and I say a big thankyou to Boy Seaman Cornwall and countless people like him, for doing their duty and staying at their posts, known or otherwise.
The Victoria Cross like all awards are subjective. Some did more and some did less and received the VC. I guess at 16 he was wounded severely which ended up killing him but while he was wounded he continued to obey orders. I've heard a few VC citations which are similar wounded men continuing the fight only to do die of their wounds later.
To those who would deny him his VC, think about what you were doing at 16. Certainly not watching your ship mates being maimed and killed around you in a major sea battle while continuing to do your duty. This country would be a better place if we had more Jack Cornwells
Absolutely spot on Cliff.
HMS Chester was broken up for scrap in the 1920's at the North Dock of Llanelli, West Wales. Local people came to see it and standing on the dock side, look over at the place such a brave young boy did his duty. Did he deserve his VC?
In WW2, a man held the power switches on in the dynamo room (they would have tripped off without being held in place) while HMS Prince Of Wales sank in the far east in 1941. His mate told him to 'come on..the ships going down' as they had been given the order to abandon ship. He replied "someone might need this power...I'm staying here"
He knew of course that many of the internal doors worked on electricity, otherwise they were too heavy to open by hand, which would have trapped many men below decks. That man stayed at his post when he didn't need to as far as orders went. His body is still in that dynamo room, unless chinese scrappers have stolen the metal in that area of the ship of course (very sad to say)
Many men owed their lives to him without realising why the doors still worked, especially as the list of the ship meant the doors could ONLY be opened under power. Did he deserve a VC? He was never put forward for it.
Many people do outstanding things in war, often in terrible conditions or circumstances, with noone knowing about them at all. They all desreve a VC in my opinion, because without them we would all be celebrating hitlers birthday all over europe and speaking german here in Britain most likely.
Like those men in HMS Prince Of Wales, we don't know how lucky we all are and I say a big thankyou to Boy Seaman Cornwall and countless people like him, for doing their duty and staying at their posts, known or otherwise.
He manned the guns staying at. His position under heavy those who say he did nothing are cowards they would not
Generally accepted that the iconic image is not him but most probably his younger brother,George. I.W.M.
Ross-seye-th....
Jack Cornwall did nothing to earn a VC.
The Victoria Cross like all awards are subjective. Some did more and some did less and received the VC. I guess at 16 he was wounded severely which ended up killing him but while he was wounded he continued to obey orders. I've heard a few VC citations which are similar wounded men continuing the fight only to do die of their wounds later.
I can't see you standing there with steel splinters in your chest!
Jack had a bigger set than you anthonyeaton...
I doubt @anthonyeaton5153 would have had the balls to remain at his post. Would probably have been hiding behind his keyboard.
Would you please inform the world of your contribution to the world & mankind .